Elvira Dyangani Ose Appointed Artistic Director of Zeitz MoCAA

Elvira Dyangani Ose has been appointed artistic director of Cape Town’s Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, effective October 1, 2026. Replacing the late Koyo Kouoh, Dyangani Ose brings extensive international curatorial experience to the institution as it approaches its second decade.

A New Artistic Era at Zeitz MoCAA

Effective October 1, 2026, the appointment places one of contemporary art’s most experienced leaders at the helm of the waterfront institution as it enters its second decade.

Dyangani Ose succeeds the late Koyo Kouoh, who died last year in May 2025. Kouoh’s tenure had established foundational artistic and institutional standards for the museum, which is housed in a landmark grain silo complex designed by Thomas Heatherwick and opened in September 2017 with a founding collection from former Puma chief executive Jochen Zeitz.

Restructuring Museum Leadership for the Next Decade

Alongside Dyangani Ose’s appointment, the institution has changed the former job title of “chief curator” to artistic director. David Green, Zeitz MoCAA co-founder and co-chair, explained at a press briefing that the organization decided to split executive responsibilities.

“During the process, we identified that we would split the roles to have one person focusing on the creative, artistic, and culture of the organisation—Elvira Dyangani Ose, working alongside another person looking after the operations, finances and corporate governance, and that is Fawaz Mustapha, managing director. This will be a joint leadership.”

David Green, Zeitz MoCAA co-founder and co-chair, via The Art Newspaper

This dual leadership model divides cultural vision from corporate governance.

An International Pedigree in Contemporary Art

Dyangani Ose arrives in Cape Town with an extensive international curriculum vitae. She previously served as the director of the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) and The Showroom London, alongside holding curatorial positions at Creative Time in New York and the Tate Modern in London.

At Tate Modern, she contributed to developing the institution’s inaugural strategy dedicated to collecting art from Africa and its diaspora. In addition to her new post in Cape Town, she also serves as the artistic director for the second Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial (2026–2027) and is a doctoral candidate in the History of Art and Visual Studies at Cornell University.

“It is a privilege to join Zeitz MOCAA. I am thrilled to come on board at this moment to continue its journey as a leading African institution with global reach. I look forward to working alongside the museum’s remarkable team, artists, supporters, and the local and global communities, building upon its extraordinary foundation by fostering meaningful collaborations and artistic exchanges across cultures and geographies.”

Elvira Dyangani Ose, Artistic Director at Zeitz MoCAA

Stakeholder Reactions and Local Perspectives

The announcement drew praise from prominent figures within the South African cultural community. Celebrated contemporary visual artist, writer, and cultural historian Sue Williamson weighed in on the selection during the public reveal event.

Elvira Dyangani Ose Appointed Artistic Director of Zeitz MoCAA — Photo: Mail & Guardian

“Look, Unathi, you won’t find a better-suited appointment. I have known Elvira and followed her work for some time. This was a good choice and I congratulate her and wish her well!”

Sue Williamson, contemporary visual artist, writer, and cultural historian, via Mail & Guardian

At the same time, cultural observers have noted broader questions surrounding the search process. As noted in regional commentary, the inability of the museum to secure a local South African candidate for the high-profile directorship may invite further discussion regarding leadership pipelines within the country’s arts sector as anti-immigration marches gain visibility.

What Lies Ahead for Zeitz MoCAA

Dyangani Ose’s immediate mandate involves orchestrating the museum’s curatorial direction across research, public engagement, and collection management as it steps into its tenth anniversary. Her departure from MACBA occurred after the museum’s governing body deemed her commitments—specifically her role directing the Abu Dhabi Public Art Biennial opening in October—incompatible with her post in Spain.

With her official start date set for October 1, 2026, stakeholders will be watching to see how her distinct Pan-African outlook and global institutional experience shape the next chapter of Cape Town’s premier contemporary art museum.